Best of 1991:Television

In a year when real-life courtroom drama became the stuff of TV entertainment, a Supreme Court nominee's droning confirmation process was suddenly transformed into a riveting version of Rashomon. On one side was the composed college professor charging sexual harassment; on the other the outraged judge crying racism; in the jury box, a gaggle of Senators fumbling. After this and the William Kennedy Smith rape trial, how can anybody watch L.A. Law again?

2. HOUSE OF CARDS (PBS).

Masterpiece Theatre has had precious few masterpieces in the past few years, but this intricate, lacerating political...